“The appeal is rejected and the sentences imposed at first instance are to be confirmed”. Word to the prosecution in the “Gotha” appeal trial, the investigation by the Reggio anti-mafia prosecutor’s office which revealed the existence of the political-entrepreneurial-mafia axis which, according to the investigators, also operated “through the confidential component” of the ‘Ndrangheta. The invisible, important pieces of the city institutions who, although remaining behind the scenes, would have managed power, choices and affairs in Reggio. In the dock, leaders of the most famous ‘ndrine of the “Città” district, but also leading exponents of politics, institutions, professions and entrepreneurship.
In the Court of Appeal in Reggio, the deputy prosecutors Giuseppe Lombardo and Stefano Musolino, and the anti-mafia deputy Sara Amerio yesterday renewed and reiterated the accusatory thesis, asking for the confirmation of the 14 sentences inflicted and the overturning of the acquittal for the former senator Antonio Caridi (without quantifying the request).
Among the main defendants in the “Gotha” appeal trial (the section celebrated with the ordinary rite) is the lawyer and former PSDI parliamentarian, Paolo Romeo, sentenced to 25 years in prison. Under accusation, among others, the former centre-right regional councilor and councilor Alberto Sarra, sentenced to 13 years for external complicity; Don Pino Strangio, the former parish priest of San Luca sentenced, in the first instance, to 9 years and 4 months in prison for external complicity with the ‘Ndrangheta.
The charges are mafia association, external competition, secret association. Word to the defense from December 17th.
